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1500 questions
30
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6 answers
Why does a state have to have a single, well-defined, internationally-recognized "Capital"?
This is partly motivated by the question of whether or not Jerusalem is Israel's capital, but my question is broader.
Why should a state have a single, well-defined "capital city"? Why does it matter whether of not other states "recognize" this…
q 010
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9 answers
If there's no government, who will stop people from creating one?
How does the doctrine(s) of anarchism address the following issue?
If there's no government, no army, no central police, who will stop local charismatic leaders from taking over and creating their own (dictatorship) government?
We observe that…
Danubian Sailor
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30
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7 answers
Does any country consider housing and food a right?
Are there any countries that have formally codified in their law books that access to housing and food is an inherent right?
In other words, safety from violence is seen as something unconditional to an extent. Although there are extenuating…
Julius Hamilton
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30
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3 answers
Why did Switzerland de facto abandon their neutrality?
Switzerland has imposed sanctions on Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine
"Swiss set to match EU sanctions if China invades Taiwan — agency chief"
These cases look like Switzerland de facto abandoning¹ their policy of neutrality. Why did they do…
kandi
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30
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6 answers
Why do pro gun and anti abortion (and vice versa) views go together in the USA?
So this is looking in on America and maybe this isn't the way it really is but it seems like the two big cultural fault lines they have are guns and abortion. And it appears that people are either pro gun and anti abortion or anti gun and pro…
dibs487
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5 answers
Why isn't any unprovoked act of aggression considered a war crime?
I'm struggling to understand the notion of "war crimes". It refers to acts within the context of a war that are considered especially heinous and outside the normal parameters of armed conflict (the Geneva Conventions).
But why is initiating the war…
Barmar
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30
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3 answers
Has Russia actually defaulted on its foreign debt as of April 11, 2022?
An article from CNN starts out by stating that Russia "has defaulted on its foreign debt", but then appears to qualify the statement by observing that "Moscow has a grace period of 30 days from April 4 to make the payments". Generally speaking, a…
Robert Columbia
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7 answers
Why do people believe that if Putin ceases to be Russian president, the Russo-Ukraine war will cease?
It seems like quite a lot of people think that the current war in Ukraine is entirely down to Putin, and if Putin dies / is assassinated / is replaced in a coup etc, then the war will end. Examples:
WASHINGTON -- South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham…
Allure
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6 answers
Why doesn't U.S. use "strategic ambiguity" on whether or not to send troops to Ukraine just like they do for the Taiwan situation?
United States has been using strategic ambiguity on Taiwan Strait issue by not clearly saying whether they would aid Taiwan with U.S. troops should Mainland China attack Taiwan, which intimidates China and leaves lots of room for themselves at the…
No One
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6 answers
Serbia will not impose sanctions against Russia, why?
In Europe, there are not many countries that have not sanctioned Russia for attacking Ukraine.
Serbia is one of the few that has not so far done so. What reasons have the country's leadership given for this decision?
aca
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7 answers
What's the point of banning a few 'selected Russian banks' from SWIFT?
I read that several Russian banks got banned from SWIFT (mirror) following the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. What's the point of banning a few selected Russian banks from SWIFT? I would have guessed it is mostly useless as one could…
Franck Dernoncourt
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2 answers
Can the Senate confirm a SCOTUS nominee before the seat is vacant?
The media is reporting that Justice Stephen Breyer plans to retire at the end of this year's court term.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued the following statement regarding the confirmation process.
President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee…
Panda
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30
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6 answers
Why is avoidance of judicial review of the Texas abortion law and other future US state laws so concerning to the US department of justice?
From CNN's video coverage of US Attorney General Merrick Garland announcement of its lawsuit against the state of Texas:
Q: ...several GOP lawmakers who said that they will follow Texas’ lead, and I was wondering if you expect DOJ to be involved in…
uhoh
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11 answers
Why are Democrats fighting so hard to vaccinate the reluctant?
Even though safe and effective COVID vaccines have been given emergency use authorization in the US, some people are still reluctant to receive them, over safety concerns, preference for "natural immunity," government distrust (whether rooted in…
user14221
30
votes
8 answers
Can the US government mandate what people are allowed to eat?
Can the government have a food mandate, which decides what we can or cannot eat to "keep us healthy"?
Considering that 2/3 of Americans are either obese or overweight, a food mandate sounds like a great idea to keep people healthy. I can foresee…
prata
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